Now i know its only been awhile since I've started blogging but this happened to me while I was playing an online game which I adore and I can't help but share this experience with everyone because cyber bullying doesn't only exist in the internet per say but also online games as well. And it's not your average "trashing you noobs in game" kinda bully, but "i hate you and your whole family" kinda bully. Get it?


So I've actually started this game called AuditionSEA about 6-7 years ago when it just launched. It's a music/dancing game, so music/dance lovers like me would definitely love this. It's like the epitome of all dance games out there. Anyways, I stopped playing for about 6 years now and decided to re-enter the game scene recently just because I was curious how is it like now and if I'd be able to play to game again. Well, I'm still a noob in game cuz it's so different than how everything used to be. They have lots of game modes, couples have more activities together in-game, nice clothes for the game character and etc. And because of these, I'm addicted to the game again! *don't judge me* ;)

The beauty of online games is that you get to meet A LOT of people from different places and as for Audition, mostly are from Singapore since it's an SG based game. And I must say I've met a lot of friendly people that i can actually have a conversation with and I thoroughly enjoy the gaming experience with these people despite the age gap cuz most of them are fairly young but there are some who's around my age or older. *phew* But of course (there's always a but in everything), there are the few who're just plain annoying and immature that i feel like slapping them right then and there. This particular one however, I'd just say that I would love to shove my fist up her nostrils for pulling my mom into the picture.

So one fine day, I got an in-game couple called A. My friend and I were playing a game with him when B came into the game room and was asking A about this medal thingy that enables double EXP when playing for levelling purposes. So since they were talking, I didn't feel right to interrupt as it wasn't my business as well and ended up talking to her friend, C. B went furious all of a sudden asking me to shut up and mind my own business since she wasn't talking to me. Dumbfounded, I tried to tell her that I wasn't even talking to her in the first place but to no avail. She was raging, foul-mouthing and was then kicked out of the game room by A. She then took it to the next level by continuing to harass me via bulletin where she continued raging and foul-mouthing me, but I did not reply to her nonsense and just let her continue with her PMS.

B later confronted me and asked me why did I butt into their conversation as whatever that's between A and her is between the both of them and it's not of my business. I agreed with her as it's not my place to say anything about them but I also told her that I wasn't even talking to her in the first place. Glad that everything was finally over, I asked her if the clouds are clear but she said no because of some other misunderstandings on her part. I broke the "relationship" with A the following day as i do not want any trouble or misunderstandings and just played my game with my friends as per usual but B decided to cyber bully me AGAIN. She foulmouthed me in the bulletin and even created game rooms with the title "sell malaysians" and etc. My friend and I decided that she needed a lesson so we took a screenshot of that bulletin and reported it as a form of misconduct which she got banned the next day itself for a total length of 7 days.



Just when i thought everything would return to normal, B decided to text me at 5AM using A's number and foulmouthed me like it there was no tomorrow. And at this point forth, cyber bully just became personal harassment. Not did she just insulted me, but she also dragged my mom into the picture. Annoyed, I just replied her text as cooly as I could, and gave them a piece of my mind when i finally woke up from slumber. I also realised that my identity as the reporter of her misconduct was revealed which was why her msg was so full of herself as she feels that she has the GMs at her back. Now, this made me furious as to why the GMs are so biased and even revealed something that's so private and confidential such as the reporter's identity to the person who got banned which lead to me being harassed at 5AM. It's so unprofessional of them as their roles in-game are very much vital to maintain the peace among players as well as to monitor any misdeeds. My respect towards them has since decreased tremendously and if such incident were to happen again, rest assured that every possible actions would be taken.

I was really fed up with everything that happened within this short period of time. Not did it affect my game play experience, but also my mood and well-being. Imagine someone came out of nowhere and just starts foul mouthing you and your family! Now, first off i have never ever said anything vulgar about/to her. But I guess her mind works differently and decided to step on my tail as if I'm her new bully victim online and offline. Secondly, I do not mix my gaming life and my real life together. Whatever happens in game, stays in game. But yet again she doesn't understand the meaning of actually having a life rather than a gaming life. And thirdly, I would never ever condone such acts of immaturity and would definitely stay away from people who are of different wave lengths.

This made me realise how violent an online game could be even though it's just a dancing game and not RPG games with violent content/graphic. Mere words like above could just spread like wildfire and destroy someone's reputation in game which ultimately leads to others believing in the rumours as well. And cyber bullying does comes in all forms and if not treated properly, would lead to personal harassments like what I've experienced. But since that day, both A and B haven't uttered a single word to/about me online. Nor did I receive any explanation or apology from A regarding B's childish behaviours. I believe that both of them have somewhat a messy life and I really do not want to be a part of the kind of lifestyle that they lead. I have no right to judge them but these are from my point of view as per what I've experienced and noticed through our conversations.

I hope that everyone out there, who has had experienced such awful game play experiences, or any forms of cyber bullying to take note and stand up to those bullies! Do not be afraid to voice out and confront them. Need there be any legal actions involved, seek professional help to resolve the matter. For those of you wondering if I'm still playing the game, YES I AM! I adore the game and my friends in-game too much to let such matters bring me down. If you're playing this game as well, please do find me online with the ign xbabyASH and we shall be friends ;)

Till next time,
XOXO

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